I own neither Naruto nor Watchmen.

I adore Michiyo. She's a hoot to write.

"You want to know about the Hyuuga clan? You're lucky you have D-class clearance for that, now." Henna says from behind the Flicker District Library's reference desk. "Otherwise you'd learn nothing more than rumors."

Walter grunts his thanks.

"Always glad to help." Henna says, waving it off. "Now that you actually have clearance, you can access the D-class archive. Just walk up to the second floor, press your dominant hand to the section of the back wall painted with the large leaf motif, and channel your chakra into it. The birch sapling pattern is C-class, the oak is for B-class, and the sequoia is for A-class. Only the Hearth District Library Branch has an S-class archive, and only because it's located in the Hokage's Tower. Anyway, each pattern is a sealed door, and the seal applied should recognize your chakra signature, and let you in if you have a high enough clearance."

"Got it." Walter says.

"Okay, great. Just sate my curiosity, please?" Walter cocks his head at her, questioning. "Why do you need to learn about the Hyuuga?"

The genin considers. Missions are supposed to be kept secret. But then, if the quarry himself knows he is a target, is it really that secret? His sensei never explicitly said to keep it secret...

He decides.

"Assignment from Jounin-sensei. Get to know members of team." Henna looks nonplussed.

"Okay, then. Good luck searching." Walter nods, and takes his usual piece of candy from the glass bowl Henna leaves out for patrons of the library, then heads for the stairs.

*******

The trip to the library is successful. Walter learns of how the Hyuuga clan is split into two branches; the smaller but dominant Main Family, and the seal-trapped Branch Family. He thinks the seal is a smart idea, but feels it should probably be used on the whole clan so the Hyuuga's prized eyes cannot be stolen. Perhaps it should be applied to the Uchiha clan as well. He finds the pain-inducing part of the seal sloppy and vulgar. Did the Main Family want to incur the hate of the majority of the Branch Family? Angering a group far larger than yours was not wise thinking.

For as long as Hiko has been in the academy, he has worn a bandana over his forehead. Now the Leaf-embossed forehead protector covers his forehead. In all likelihood, Hiko is a member of the Branch Family.

Walter has learned a lot about the Hyuuga family, but not much about Hiko as an individual.

******

He utilizes Nelson-sensei next. The blonde teacher seems flattered by the attention of one of his graduates so soon after the exit exam.

"Walter! Good to see you. What brings you to my office so soon?"

"Need to know more about my teammates."

"You've come to the right person, son. The Academy has not finalized the school reports of this year's graduates or sent copies of them into the archives. You can't find that information anywhere but here, not yet, at least. So who do you need to find out about... hm... Hiko or Michiyo, right?" Walter nods.

"Hiko, please." Nelson-sensei goes through the pile of folders and frowns.

"I'm not done yet with his file, but young Miss Kagami's is done. Tell you what, come back here tomorrow and I'll have an extra copy of both of your teammates waiting for you. Would that work, or are you on a tighter deadline than that?"

"Have five days to go. It can wait, sensei." Walter pauses. "Appreciate your help with this."

"Always glad to help, I'm always glad to help. Have a good day, Walter."

The genin bobs his head, and leaves his former teacher to his work.

Good kid, Nelly thinks. Smart, always eager to learn. Polite too. He'll go far.

*******

Day five of Walter's mission arrives.

He is concealed in the shrubs outside the Branch Family's part of the Hyuuga clan's compound, with binoculars and a notebook handy.

"Boo." Michiyo says, squatting down right next to him. Walter jumps.

She didn't startle him – no, he heard her approach long ago. He's just uncomfortable with her proximity. From what he's read of her file, she has a tendency to treat others very familiarly, regardless of their level of comfort with this trait. Which is why she's got one hand on his shoulder, using him to lean over and peer through the gap in the bushes, her other hand holding the binoculars she's taken from his hands up to her eyes.

"Don'tcha think he knows you're here, spying on him?" She wonders aloud, "He can see through walls." She makes a tsk noise with her tongue. "Nice stances, fast handwork. Yeah, he knows. Just glared right at me. Aw, he just tossed his hair at me. Very foofy. Yeah, buddy, I'm still lookin' at you. Wow, he's really going at that training dummy. He looks pissed."

"There a reason you're here?" Walter growls, taking his binoculars back.

"Yup." Michiyo replies, crossing her arms. "Wanna come over for dinner tomorrow night? My place at six. My mom wants to meet y'all." Walter blinks, then protests.

"Why? Not really a team yet, still have final test to pass."

"Well… I talked to some people who know about you, and Nelly-sensei's mouth ain't exactly sealed shut – he practically offered to tell me everything – but I've found out all I can about you without actual interaction with you." She says reasonably, "You're a very private person, and it's not like Reika-sensei told us we couldn't interact with our targets. So I thought, well heck, why not? Hiko's coming already, with his parents – I'm letting him come right into my house – he'd be stupid not to take up my offer. That's why he's busy training instead of spying on me. Didn't you wonder why he wasn't? If you come you can meet his folks, see him all polite and having to answer all the questions we ask 'im. You can come alone – my mom and dad think you're an orphan. From what I read of your file, I thought you wouldn't want your mom to come."

"Thought right." Walter grates out. The girl pats him on the back familiarly, and he flinches.

"So whatcha say? You coming or do I gotta drag you?"

"Wouldn't our sensei consider this cheating?"

"Can't break a rule you don't know about. My dad says good ninja know when to break the rules."

"Why are you doing this – not in mission parameters."

"Because it's us against her!" She exclaims in frustration, "Because all three of us have to pass for any of us to win. So I'm going to make sure we pass. You will spill personal information tomorrow night or I'll know why."

"You consider this a team effort then."

"Yeah, you don't miss nothing, then, do ya." Michiyo sticks out her hand. "Friends?"

Walter takes it gravely.

"Truce."

They shake solemnly. Michiyo's grip is firm and strong.

(Does the review please! dance.)